The Jakarta administration’s policy to close Jl. Jatibaru Raya near Tanah Abang Market in Central Jakarta has made traffic congestion worse in the area. Congestion has increased by 60 percent in the past month, a police report revealed on Friday.

As a consequence, the police have urged the city administration to reopen the road for both public and private vehicles.

Jakarta Police traffic division chief Sr. Comr. Halim Pagarra said in the past month, based on the police study, the closure had caused traffic congestion along Jl. Fachrudin in Central Jakarta and as far as Slipi in West Jakarta.

He added that the police had already handed a letter of recommendation to the city administration, which comprises at least six essential points. One of the points says that the administration should involve the police traffic division in formulating policies related to traffic management.

The administration, under the leadership of new Governor Anies Baswedan, decided to close Jl. Jatibaru Raya to accommodate hundreds of street vendors.

Critics have emerged, including planning experts and members of the Jakarta Council, saying that the decision contravenes with Bylaw No. 8/2007 on public order, as the bylaw stipulates that vendors are not allowed to sell their goods either on sidewalks or on the streets. (vny)